Death-row inmates caution troubled youths in new book

Published: 2008-01-04

TOLEDO, Ohio (CNS) -- Dennis Skillicorn can't change his past, but he believes he can change the future for young people in danger of repeating his mistakes by sharing his story and others like it. Using contributions from prisoners throughout the country, the 48-year-old inmate from Missouri's death row edited a book of essays, poems and artwork chronicling the choices that brought prisoners to where they are today. With the help of volunteers at a Catholic parish in the Toledo Diocese, "Today's Choices Affect Tomorrow's Dreams" is being distributed in juvenile detention facilities around the country to remind young people about the importance of their decisions. The book, written by death-row inmates and prisoners serving life-without-parole sentences, is distributed through Compassion, a nonprofit organization that produces a bimonthly newsletter written by and for death-row inmates in the United States. The book may be ordered for $17.95 per copy, plus $3 shipping and handling, by writing to: Compassion, 140 W. South Boundary St., Perrysburg, OH 43551. Order forms are available online at: www.compassionondeathrow.org.

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